RiverBear7

I loved Naisy and I'd like to see him back. At the time I felt a bit betrayed, but his recent comments seemed totally sincere to me. When he left was a crazy, difficult time, so i'm willing to give him some slack. He's obviously a really good guy too.

I totally agree with that. If I see people selling white poppies, I will wear that with gusto. With the red ones, I just can't quite shake the feeling the symbol is abused by the powers that be who LOVE starting wars

For what purpose? I understand it's been fairly unpopular, but i'm just trying to have a conversation about my football team. It's a forum after all. If you think it's attention begging, don't respond. Simple.

Someone else has said something similar elsewhere, so I want to clarify further. I have been going to Ibrox most of my life too, and to me, it's not any more dangerous than another ground. However, there are two fairly key things to consider. Please correct me if i'm wrong, because I may be, but I would guess that, like me, you're a white Scottish male, and possibly identify as a Protestant (again, absolutely nothing wrong with that). But I think for people who don't fit that description, while of course you won't recognise it from your experience, I think Ibrox is a lot more daunting idea. I can't stress enough, i'm not saying Ibrox or the fans is openly hostile to different kinds of people - what I am saying, is that most people I know who aren't white Scottish males have the idea that they won't be welcome. For example, I have a couple of friends from Europe, and they instantly were more interested in Celtic because they got the feeling that they wouldn't be welcome; similar with people I've talked to from African countries. Of course, that's not conclusive, but I think it's probably representative of some people. Yes, the media plays a part in that, no question, but again, maybe it means we should have a look at the fanbase and see if there's anything we can do to be more welcoming? Let me give you an example. I saw this today: http://www.thewellsociety.co.uk/2017/07/25/society-to-welcome-syrian-guests-to-cup-tie/ Not only is it a nice gesture for the refugees who will go to the match, but it shows to the whole community that this club is for everyone who follows the team. That's all I want for Rangers, and we should surely want as many fans as we can get.

I'm interested in what you think the objective is? For me, while I will always love the club, I think we've become way too insular, and for some, less critical/individual when it comes to their views, simply because it's the opposite of Celtic (they're just the same). I'm not trying to tear the club or the fanbase down, but i'd like to see us evolve a bit. I am just curious if many people agree with me. From this forum it seems some do, to different extents, and many don't.

I didn't say it is, obviously i've been lots of times and I don't feel that way, but this is how some other people I have talked to see it, and to be honest, I can see why people might feel that way too.

No, absolutely we shouldn't change because of how people see us, but it is based on the extremism we need to keep trying to cut out. I also think we can keep our history but continue to evolve in to a more welcoming club. This is anecdotal, but I know quite a few people who see Ibrox as totally unwelcoming and scary - and not in the good 'fortress for home games' way. I always tell them it's not like that and as long as you don't noise anyone up you'll be fine, but it doesn't stop the perception, and I think we could do more to improve it.

Absolutely. I don'y have a problem with Unionism or Protestantism being a part of our history. It's when it get's to the more extremes that it's bad, and unfortunately, that's what a lot of people see us as.

I don't really understand. I've said several times that, bad as Celtic are, this isn't about them. I mention them a few times in the article for perspective (and mostly to say that they're just as bad), but other than that, i'm thinking about Rangers. Whether or not Celtic had a paedo ring is irrelevant to how Rangers are now.

Hi all - apologies for just replying now. I've not been able to get back on til now. I would first like to say that i'm happy there has been so much feedback, even if it isn't all positive. I've read most of the responses and probably owe you an answer to at least some of the common themes. Yes, this is the first time i've posted here. I haven't used forums for a while but, yes, I have deliberately tried to find Rangers fans to discuss this with because, so far, a few have agreed with me or felt similarly. I will indeed, when I have time, like to discuss the team here more generally (you'll be glad o hear it won't always be in this way). I think I should clarify - I hate Celtic the football team with a passion and I absolutely do not side with the Green Brigade (with the notable, probably unpopular opinion that the 'no bloodstained poppy banner' was one I struggled to disagree with. I have no problem with soldiers, but I do with the way politicians use our military and the poppy to keep sending lads off to war). I love the rivalry but hate them. I think that most of the time, they are equally as bad (the banners against Linfield, for example, and the fact that they really have nothing to do with Ireland). A major point of that article though was that, while I don't like them, or the extremist part of their fans, that can't let us off the hook with our BS. I don't want to make Celtic better, I want to make Rangers better. Someone asked a specific question. What I mean by "as well as some positive aspects which are hard to criticise." I work but don't live in the east end. Celtic and their fans do a lot of good work with local foodbanks and help people find work, and the fans are a part of making that a success. You'd have to be pretty mean spirited to see that and think badly of them. I don't like Celtic and I don't like their fans when the footie is on, but it's not like they're all bad, just like we aren't. A few people mentioned the SNP. Full disclosure: yes I generally vote SNP, but i'm not unfailingly in support of them. What's it to you? My opinion here doesn't have much to do with this. Though I mention independence, this article is way more about sectarianism and positivity at the club. To be clear - I don't care whether you support independence or not, and of course Unionists can be progressive too - I do think it's plain stupid to not support it because of a football allegiance though. I kinda want to know what some of you mean when you say i'm doing what I accuse Rangers fans of doing? If it's intolerance, the only thing i'm intolerant of is bigotry, and I hate it's association with the club. Whether you like it or not - it is associated, and with some reason (even if it is because of a vocal minority). I disagree with Unionism, but if that's your belief, all power to you. A few people have said some version of 'stop being a fan'. Well, as i'm sure you know, it doesn't work that way. Like most people, I support who has been my team for life, and that will never change. Another major point though was that all this BS surrounding us has just made it a less pleasant experience, and it puts other would-be fans off. I have friends from out of Glasgow who come here without a team, and are instantly put off by the way the bigots are. Again, it's unfair, but it's the way we're viewed, and I think we shouldn't be happy with that. Rangers do excellent charity work at times, and i've done some stuff with the charity foundation in the past. StuGers, who commented on that, had a good point when he said that outsiders don't report it well, but I also think we could really step up and do even more really exciting work in the community. A couple of people mentioned about my wishes for the team to be a bit more focused on Scottish youth. Yes, that is all it is - I don't want us to only sign young Scottish players, but I want that to be a goal for the club - to have as many as possible. As I said, some talented veterans will always have their place here. Oh and finally, I used 'the Le Guen Years' as a figure of speech like you would for any managerial campaign but yes, technically, it's not accurate. I hope that clears things up a little. I'm not wanting to get in to endless debates about things, though I'll be happy to discuss some things more. It's BECAUSE I love the club that I wrote the article, and i'm interested in seeing if people feel the same way. I think, while battling Celtic will always be crucial to us, we should be able to look ourselves in the mirror and not let ourselves off the hook because they're just as bad (which they are).

Hi All, lifelong Bear here. I've recently been thinking a lot about how it feels to be a Rangers fan, and what I like and don't like about the club. Then I wrote this article: https://rtvwrestling.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/my-disappointment-with-the-rebirth-of-rangers-and-losing-love-for-my-football-team/ In a nutshell - Rangers will never not be my team, and Celtic are just as guilty of bullshit, but as a Rangers fan, i'm getting tired of the negative image of us, and how a minority of fans invite a negative reputation for us. Now that we're in a time of rebirth, I think we should embrace it to become a more positive force (in a way I think would better represent most fans). I don't mind you disagreeing, but if you do, i'd at least like to read it first. Not trying to troll, and I'm not here to annoy anyone or anything, but I would be interested about how many people feel the same way?